RA-2 Relay Antenna

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RA-2 Relay Antenna
Part image
Antenna by
Ionic Symphonic Protonic Electronics

Radial size Tiny
Cost (total) 1 800.00 Funds
Mass (total) 0.15 t
Drag 0.2
Max. Temp. 2000 K
Volume  ?
Impact Tolerance 8 m/s
Research Precision engineering.png Precision Engineering
Unlock cost 5 000 Funds
Since version 1.2
Part configuration RA-5.cfg
Packet size 1 Mits
Transmission speed 2.86 Mits/s
Electricity required 24 ⚡/Mits

The RA-2 Relay Antenna is an antenna, used to connect to CommNet and transfer science. It is a relay antenna; it can boost signals from other vessels, bouncing them back to KSC.

It is a medium sized relay antenna, more powerful than the HG-5 High Gain Antenna, and weaker than the RA-15 Relay Antenna. It is the relay equivalent of the Communotron DTS-M1.

Product description

A relay antenna with automatic store and forward capabilities as well as advanced pathfinding algorithms.

Ionic Symphonic Protonic Electronics

Usage

Relay antennae are able to bounce communications from probes back to Kerbin. If a vessel with a relay antenna has a CommNet connection to Kerbin, then any nearby craft with a connection to the relay vessel will be able to connect to Kerbin through the relay. This allows probes far outside their antenna range, as well as probes obstructed by celestial bodies, to communicate with KSC.

The RA-2 is a medium strength antenna. Its antenna power of 2G is ideal for inner Kerbol system exploration. With a level 2 Tracking Station, a single RA-2 can reach Moho, Eve, and Duna if the planets are nearby; with a level 3 station, a RA-2 can reliably connect to these three planets, allowing a reliable relay network to be set up. Additionally, the RA-2 is powerful enough to connect with antenna-less vessels on a planet's surface from low orbit. Two RA-2 relay probes can connect to each other from a distance equal to Kerbin's SOI.

In addition to its relay capabilities, the RA-2 can be used as a normal antenna, transmitting science and providing connection to KSC. In this role, it acts like the Communotron DTS-M1, having the same strength and range; however, when transmitting science, its transmission speed is half that of the DTS-M1. In addition, it has the highest electricity usage per Mit of data; it uses 4 times as much electricity, or twice as much per second, as the DTS-M1.

Because the RA-2 is a static antenna, it is much more durable than deployable antennas when active; unlike a deployed antenna, it cannot be broken by aerodynamic forces. This makes it a good choice for probes that must pass through an atmosphere (i.e. a Duna lander).

Changes

1.2
  • Initial Release